Low blood sugar or "hypoglycemia" is a potentially dangerous and life-threatening condition that you can develop from a variety of causes. Diabetics can have hypoglycemia when they take too much insulin or blood sugar-lowering medication. You might develop low blood sugar due to liver disease, a pancreas tumor or another underlying medical condition. Certain dietary changes can help to control your blood-sugar levels, but you should talk with your physician and/or a registered dietitian before altering your diet.
Foods to Avoid
If you have low blood sugar, you should avoid eating refined sugars, as well as caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, says the University of Michigan Health System. Limiting simple carbohydrates, pastas and white breads could also help regulate your blood sugar. In some cases, hypoglycemia can become aggravated by food allergies. Therefore, you should avoid eating any foods to which you're allergic, such as dairy products, soy and wheat, as well as food additives and preservatives, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. Don't use tobacco if you have low blood sugar, and avoid eating fried or processed foods containing trans fatty acids, like french fries, margarine and cookies.
Foods to Add
Eating a diet rich in antioxidant-containing fruits and vegetables, soluble fiber, lean meats, beans, and cold-water fish can help regulate your blood-sugar levels, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Include in your diet whole grains and complex carbohydrates, fresh vegetables and other foods that are rich in iron and B-complex vitamins. If you have hypoglycemia that's not related to diabetes, consume more frequent and smaller meals throughout the day to stabilize your blood sugar, advises the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. If you experience a sudden drop in blood sugar, you can eat fruit or candy, or drink a sugary beverage to increase your glucose levels rapidly.
Key Nutrients and Supplements
In addition to eating more antioxidant-rich foods, like squash, blueberries and tomatoes, you can also take certain antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Also, chromium supplements can help regulate your blood sugar levels. For a sudden drop in blood sugar, you can take glucose tablets, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Other nutritional supplements that may help people with low blood sugar include vitamins B3, B6 and E, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium and glucomannan, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Considerations
Hypoglycemia is not usually identified as a condition unto itself, but instead as a symptom of an underlying health problem, MayoClinic.com notes. Dietary changes can help treat low blood sugar levels, but they are not a long-term solution. Your doctor will need to balance your medications and treat the underlying medical condition that's causing your hypoglycemia. Underlying causes of hypoglycemia include fasting, autoimmune disorders, hormonal deficiencies and organ failure, as well as medications like beta blockers, quinine, angiotensin-converting enzyme agents, insulin, pentamidine and quinolone-family drugs, says the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Warning
When left untreated, low blood sugar can cause seizures, unconsciousness and even death, MayoClinic.com warns. You should take quick action if you experience hypoglycemia symptoms, such as sweating, dizziness, fatigue, nervousness, heart palpitations, headache, weakness or confusion, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. People with hypoglycemia often need to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.
